^-CCCXL 
i. CCCOC 

o occ 

cTc^cscl cccc 

: ccc 

~<&c?<: ccc: 



C*C «_ CCC. 

<^r<^ccc 
csscsc ccc 

: <S^<^CCC 

C^CiCcCC 



©C< 



<g «CUC3 



<cc<ac. < 
cO:«ofc 



CCCC 

ci<:acc 

CC«3 

^ c:«j 

«r r- 



<src: 3 






n| LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, # 



dfcC 
C :C 

met 
c c 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.! 



-CjQT^cc 

xccec 
r c-<rc : c c 



rcx:ccc 
"crccc 

W ( T ■ 



*TcC 



v c;c 
?! c:c 

<£C 

.- C"C 

- <£C 

<rc 
cc 

cc : 



JT5C 



<£=>>- 


L v. .9 


CC 


CCC < 


S&- 


ex: 


CCC « 


s^ 


ex 


CCC < 


m^ 


ex 


Ccc < 




<r<« 


<ccc 




^ 


CCC 




f «s< 


CCC 4 


Ti 


€<G 


CCC « 


-^■1 








<XCC « 


K-. 


•C 



.. C 


c c 


:~c 




^5 


fe 


X 


C 


,_«C C 
C « 


Ccc 


C< 


;C 


S3 




O' 


£ < 


< ~ 


:C < 

L«C 


o 
c 


CCC - 


^g 


|^ 


V! 

c 
c 


1 < 


^^Z<- 


c:« 


C' 


< 


^CZC 


cr< 


C 


< 


^K3 r 


C" i 


o 


< 


4BKLX 


■ ^zn 


c 


< 


j^>— - c< " 


■ JEZ 


C 


< 


^K^ '■-: 


: «C 


X 


C 


_«j 


^C 


c 


c 


Hfa^^ 1 


^CZ 


c 


c 


1E5S 


5 ^ 


:c 


c 


x 


c 


K^ c 


c *c 


c 


c 


<f. 


^T" 


C 


r 



c cc 
c ccc 
c cc 
e c*c 

£ c £ 

c cc 

c c c 
C CC< 
c cc 

£ <£ 

c<r 
cc 

" cc 

cc 
cc 

c c 



CC 
CC 
OX 

<m 

CCcjC 

CC 

CSC! 

ccc 

CCC 

tree 



ace 
ccc 

exo 

cccc 



c c< 
c: ex 

c cc 
c rr 



ceo ca 

4T433 CCC 



. COCOCxcc 

. ex coerce 

(5 ccx 

<x <rci 
_ <x: cc c< 
«x e< 
cx<r^( 

x f ^ 

5 CX CZc 

j ecc 
3.1 <xx- 

^x <^^< 



c c Co5 

c c coc 



ccc ccc 

dec ccc <c 

exc ccc cc 

CTCcx ccc Cel 

<CCC CCC CS§ 

*r cc <rcr<£ <cgj 

<T<C33 CcCcx ^CH? 

Z <X CcXC 4tT<0p 

: (crc:ccc< <5^? 

.: 'Cccct-ff ^x^ c 

E<:x<r.- ^*g£f 



. 5H 

- ^ <s 
■ . <^ 

c " <m 

::. <XlX 

<cCc 
/ cxrec 
- &cc 

;"^^x 

^3?cc 
*j6Cc 

^3XCC 
4CCQCC 
-car<? 



CCC 



ccc cc: 

^c:cx cr 
<TCC ciT 

<LXC OT 



CXC 

cc< 
crcc 
exc 
Ccc 
Ccc 
: cc 

C CC 

c ex 

C CC 

X Cc 

: Cc 
CCO 
<X ( 

c < 

Cc-'C 

ccc 

CccC 

c . c 

c - C 
c c 

C ; ^ 
CcC < 

(X ' 

c c 



CCC 

■- Cct 

■l Ccc 

: ^Ccc 

.' «<cm 

ccc 

CCX 

cxr 

rCXCX 

ccc: 
C exx . 



^ cc c: ^ 

• f*^" cc <r c^ 
c: cc c «c 
c- c:c cc 
c cc cc 
c cc cc 
ex cccc 



AN 

HISTORICAL SKETCH 

OF THE 

OF THE 

CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS 

IN 

MASSACHUSETTS ; 

WITH 

AN ACCOUNT OF ITS FUNDS ; 

ITS CONNEXION WITH THE 

MASSACHUSETTS CONGREGATIONAL CHARITABLE SOCIETY 

MUD ITS 

RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

MDCCCXXI. 



Printed for the Convention. 



N 



CAMBRIDGE : 

PRINTED BY HILLIARD AND METCALF. 

1821. 



o\x$ 



#R 



IN CONVENTION 1st OF JUNE, 18 £0, 

The Rev. Dr. Porter of Roxbury, Rev. Dr. Holmes, Rev. John 
Pierce, and the Scribe w,ere chosen a Committee to prepare for 
publication and to cause to be published, in such manner as they may 
think proper, a concise history of this Convention, embracing some 
account of its origin, its objects, the state of its funds, the rules 
to which the members are subject, the nature of the connexion be- 
tween this Convention and the Congregational Charitable Society, 
and such other articles of information, as, in their judgment, may be 
instructive and profitable. 

JOHN CODMAN, Scribe of Convention. 



HISTORY OF THE CONVENTION 



Of the origin of the convention of congregational 
ministers in Massachusetts the notices are very imper- 
fect. The silence of the early historians on this subject, 
especially of Winthrop and Hubbard, is presumptive evi- 
dence, that there was no organized Convention before 
the year 1680. It does appear, however, that the minis- 
ters were early accustomed to meet together at the time 
and place of the annual election. The patriarchal char- 
acter of the government, and the intimate connexion of 
the church with the state, may, perhaps, account for this 
early usage. From the first settlement of Massachusetts, 
there was a confidential intercourse between the magis- 
trates and the ministers, who mutually gave and received 
counsel, as the circumstances of the churches or of the 
community required. It was intended to settle and main- 
tain a Christian commonwealth ; and their cooperation to 
that great object was considered as a right and a duty. 
While the magistrates were expected and asked to give 
their advice in some cases, and to exercise their power in 
others, for the well founding of churches, and for preserv- 
ing their order and peace ; the ministers were expected 
and asked to give their opinions and counsel in the ex- 
igences of the state. Disputes between the principal 
officers, and the different branches, of the government 
were, at an early period, referred to the arbitration of the 
ministers ; who were also called upon to assist in settling 
the principles and rules of government. 



As early as the year 1634, " the ministers and other the 
most prudent of the inhabitants" were consulted " about 
a body of laws, suited to the state of the colony, and about 
an uniform order of discipline in the churches." When 
the first laws of the colony were framed, the approbation 
of the ministers was a condition of their validity. In 
1635, Governor Winthrop observed : " The deputies hav- 
ing conceived great danger to our state, in regard that 
our magistrates, for want of positive laws, in many cases, 
might proceed according to their discretions, it was agreed 
that some men should be appointed to frame a body of 
grounds of laws, in resemblance of a Magna Charta, which, 
being allowed by some of the ministers and the General 
Court, should be received for fundamental laws." " Mr. 
Cotton was at first requested by the General Court with 
some other ministers, to assist some of the magistrates" in 
that work ; and afterwards the General Court appointed a 
committee of some magistrates, some ministers and some 
others to perform that service : " Also the elders [minis- 
ters] who had been requested to deliver their judgment 
concerning the law of adultery, returned their answer 
with the reasons thereof." The compilation of laws was 
at last referred to Mr. Cotton and Mr. Nathaniel Ward, 
each of whom "framed a model, which, in 1639, were 
presented to the General Court, and by them committed 
to the governor and deputy and some others to consider 
of, and so prepare it for the court," at another session. 
" At length to satisfy the people it proceeded ; and the 
two models were digested with divers alterations and ad- 
ditions, and abbreviated and sent to every town to be con- 
sidered of, first by the magistrates and elders, and then to 
be published by the constables to all the people, that if 
any should think fit that any thing therein ought to be 



altered, he might acquaint some of the deputies therewith 
against the next court. "* 

The early fathers of New England, with all protes- 
tant divines of their day, " allowed a power in the civil 
magistrate, for the preservation of the church in cases 
temporal, so far as belongeth to the outward preservation, 
not to the personal administration of them ;" and held, 
that " the ordinary helps and external means, for the up- 
holding and maintaining of peace and truth in the churches, 
in way of a civil power, is only a pious and Christian 
magistracy, where a nation is blessed with it, so as by the 
help of the ecclesiastical and the civil power, acting in a 
way of subordination each unto other, all differences arising 
may easily be composed. "t The early custom of an 
Election Sermon is confirmatory of these principles, and 
of the influence of the ministers in the state. On these 
occasions, the rulers were publicly and solemnly reminded 
of what was believed to be their duty and their right, in 
religious concerns, " The eye of the Civil Magistrate," 
said one of the preachers, " is to be the securing of the 
way of God that is duly established : and if any where 
this be the duty and concern of rulers, it is most of all so 
in New England, which is originally a Plantation, not for 
Trade, but for Religion."! 

We perceive, then, in the genius and character of our 
primitive institutions, why the ministers, from the first, 
would be induced to meet at the time of the sitting of the 
general court ; but of any proceedings, in the name and 
character of a Convention, during the first half century, 
we have no evidence. 

* Winthrop's Journal, 1632—1639. Hubbard's Hist. New Eng- 
land, ch. xxvi, xlvi. 

t Hubbard's Hist. New England, chap. Ixx. Platform, chap. xvii. 
t President Oakes's Election Sermon, May, 1673. 



The first Sermon before the ministers in Convention, 
that has come to our knowledge, was preached by Rev. 
John Sherman of Watertown, in 1682. During the suc- 
ceeding years of calamity, until the deposition of Andros, 
and the Revolution in England, in 1689, there is no ac- 
count of Convention. Whether that Revolution, and the 
acts of the provincial legislature, passed soon afterwards, 
affecting ministers and churches, influenced the ministers 
to a more formal organization of a Convention, or to a 
more stated attendance at the annual meeting, or what- 
ever were the cause, this appears to be the epoch of a 
regular Convention. 

From the beginning of the government under the char- 
ter of 1692, the congregational ministers of Massachusetts 
" practised the holding of a convention in Boston, on the 
next day after the general election of counsellors."* In 
Mather's Magnalia, 1698, there is a distinct reference 'to 
the Convention. The Rev. Mr. Hooker, towards the close 
of his life, had advised to the constant meetings of minis- 
ters. " According to the advice of Mr. Hooker," says Dr. 
Mather, " it has been the care of the ministers, in the 
several vicinages throughout the most part of the country, 
to establish constant meetings, whereat they have inform- 
ed one another of their various exercises, and assisted one 
another in the work of our Lord : besides a general ap- 
pearance of all the ministers in each colony, once a year, 
at the town, and the time of the General Court for Elec- 
tions of Magistrates in the colonies."! In a later work 
of the same author the Convention is expressly mentioned, 
with the time of its meeting, its leading objects, and the 
custom of an annual Sermon : " How often Provincial 
Synods were held in Firmilian's time, is evident from that 

* Appendix to Dr. Thacher's Sermon before the Massachusetts 
Congregational Charitable Society. 
t Magnalia, Book v. p. 58. 



Report of his, Per singulos annos in unum conveniunt. The 
churches of New England can have no such thing report- 
ed of them. They have no provincial synods, and theii* 
occasional synods, on special emergencies, and of smaller 
dimensions, are but as the occasions happen for them. 
The thing among them that is the nearest thereunto, is a 
General Convention of ministers (which, perhaps, are not 
above half) belonging to the Province, at the time of the 
Anniversary Solemnity, when the General Assembly of 
the Province meets, on the last Wednesday in the month 
of May, to elect their Counsellors for the year ensuing. 
Then the Ministers, chusing a Moderator, do propose 
matters of public importance, referring to the interest of 
Religion in the churches ; and though they assume no 
decisive power, yet the advice which they give to the peo- 
ple of God has proved of great use unto the country. 
There is now taken up the custom for (Concio ad Clerum,) 
a Sermon to be preached unto the Convention of Minis- 
ters, on the day after the Election, by one of their num- 
ber, chosen to it by their votes, at their meeting in the 
preceding year. At this Convention, every pastor, that 
meets with singular difficulties, has opportunity to bring 
them under consideration, But the question most usually 
now considered, is of this importance, What may be fur- 
ther proposed, for the preserving and promoting of true piety 
in the land ? Excellent things have been here concerted 
and concluded for the propagation of religion, and collec- 
tions produced for that purpose in all the churches. And 
motions have been hence made unto the General Assembly, 
for such Acts and Laws as the morals of the people have 
called for."* The Governor of the Province, and such 

* Ratio Discipline Fratrum Nov-Anglorum : "A Faithful Ac- 
count of the Discipline professed and practised in the Churches of 
New Endand," 1726. 



8 

counsellors as lived in Boston, together with the represen- 
tatives of the town, and the Speaker, were invited to dine 
with the ministers on the day after the Election — " some 
small resemblance," says Dr. Mather, " of what is called 
The Feast of Moses and Aaron, in the Netherlands." 

The Convention has been accustomed to address the 
civil rulers, and to use its influence for the encourage- 
ment of learning, and the conservation of the public liber- 
ties. It has presented addresses to the King, to the Gov- 
ernors, to the Provincial Congress, and to the President of 
the United States ; and memorials to the Congress of the 
United States. After addressing the late king at his 
accession, the Convention voted thanks to governor Ber- 
nard " for the kind care he was pleased to take of their 
address to his Majesty ; as also, for the regard which he 
has shown to the interest of learning in the Province — 
and humbly to desire the continuance of his Excellency's 
favour to Harvard College in Cambridge." 

The Convention has maintained a friendly and Chris- 
tian correspondence with other associated ministers, of the 
Protestant Reformed churches, at home and abroad. In 
1750, " the Convention being sensible of the great import- 
ance of cultivating a stricter union with our brethren of 
the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations in 
England, and particularly their deputation at London," 
voted to choose annually a committee in their behalf, " to 
manage and cultivate said union and correspondences, 
and annually report their proceedings to the Convention, 
and receive their directions from time to time," On the 
reception of a letter from delegates from the Associated 
pastors in Connecticut and a committee of the Synod of 
New York and Philadelphia, inviting them to join with 
them in a proposed convention at New Haven in 1767, 
the Convention voted : " That although we are not pre- 



9 

pared to send delegates to the proposed Convention, yet 
we take this occasion to declare our sincere affection to 
our brethren, and our fellowship with them in the gospel, 
and our readiness to unite our counsels and endeavours 
with them for the spreading of the Gospel, and defending 
the religious liberties of these Churches ; for cultivating love 
and harmony among ourselves and with our friends abroad, 
and for promoting the kingdom of our common Re- 
deemer." A committee of correspondence was chosen ; 
and instructed also, to write to the committee of deputa- 
tion of Dissenters in England, " to thank them for the 
concern they have expressed for our Religious Liberties ; 
and to desire that they would give us their assistance, and 
use their influence for the preservation of the same, and, 
in particular, that a bishop may not be sent among us." 
In 1668, the thanks of Convention were voted to Rev. 
Dr. Chauncy, "for his just and seasonable Remarks on a 
late Sermon of the bishop of Landaff, preached before the 
Society for propagating the Gospel ; as also for his learn- 
ed and judicious Reply to Dr. Chandler's Appeal in favour 
of an American Episcopate ;" and, in 1770, " for his 
learned and judicious Reply to Dr. Chandler's Vindication 
of his Appeal." 

In 1771, the Convention chose a committee, " to main- 
tain a correspondence with our brethren in the Southern 
Governments ; and, in 1 792, a committee, to consider the 
proposal of forming a correspondence with the General 
Presbytery of the Southern States, and General Associa- 
tion of Congregational Ministers in Connecticut." In 
1793, a committee of correspondence was chosen, with 
instructions to write to those two bodies, " proposing to 
them not to receive or countenance any candidate from 
us, who does not bring credentials from a regular body 
among us known to them, and assuring them that we will 
2 



10 

observe the same rule with respect to candidates from 
them ; and informing them that we shall be glad to hear 
from them upon all subjects which relate to the interests 
of our common Christianity, and to communicate every 
information upon such subjects as may tend to promote 
the interests of Religion." 

The Convention has occasionally called the attention 
of ministers and churches to the principles of their Plat- 
form, and given cautions and admonitions against preva- 
lent errors. In 1702, it published " A Seasonable Testi- 
mony to the glorious doctrines of grace, at this day many 
ways undermined in the world." In 1704, "to serve the 
great intentions of religion, lamentably decaying in the 
country," it was proposed by Convention : " That the 
pastors of the churches personally discourse with the 
young people in their flocks, and with all possible pru- 
dence and goodness endeavour to win their consent to the 
Covenant of grace ; that, to this end, they adopt the prac- 
tice of making their personal visits to all the families that 
belong to their Congregations ;" that, as far as practicable, 
they thus induce their people " publicly and solemnly to re- 
cognise the Covenant of God, and come into such a degree 
of the Church state, as they shall be willing to take their 
station in, but not to leave off, till they shall be qualified 
for, and persuaded to, communion with the Church in all 
special ordinances ; that for such as have submitted to the 
government of Christ in any of his churches, no pastors 
of any other churches, any way go to shelter them un- 
der their wing, from the discipline of those from whom 
they have not been fairly recommended ; that they who 
have not actually recognised their subjection to the disci- 
pline of Christ in his church, yet should, either upon their 
obstinate refusal of such a subjection, or their falling into 
other scandals, be faithfully treated with proper admoni- 



11 

tions — about the method of managing which, the pastors 
with their several churches will be left to the exercise of 
their own discretion." The desire and intention were also 
expressed, " That at the General Convention of Ministers, 
there may be given in an account of their success" in the 
proposed undertaking ; "that the Lord may have the glory 
of his grace, and the condition of religion may be better 
known and served among us." In subserviency to these 
intentions, it was proposed, " That the Associations of the 
ministers in the several parts of the country may be 
strengthened ; and that they may hold more free commu- 
nications with one another."* In 1756, on receiving a 
letter with papers from a number of aggrieved brethren of 
a Church, relating to the installation of a minister, the 
Convention voted it as their opinion, " that all such pro- 
ceedings as these are represented to be, are very irregular, 
against which they think themselves obliged to bear their 
testimony, as having a manifest tendency to destroy these 
churches, if not seasonably discountenanced." In 1757, 
it was " recommended by the Convention to the ministers 
and people throughout the Province, to give themselves to 
more solemn and devout prayer, and reformation of man- 
ners, in this very important crisis of our public affairs." 
The same year, the Convention directed a letter to be 
written to a distant people, that had received their chari- 
ties, " expostulating with them upon their doing so little 
towards the support of the gospel, and ordinances of reli- 
gion among them ; and representing to them, that if they 
persist in such a conduct, the Convention must withdraw 
the large assistance they have so long afforded them for 
this purpose." In 1773, it was voted, that the state of 
the churches in this Province, with respect to church 
order and discipline, is such as to require the attention of 
this Convention. A committee was chosen, to make dili- 
* Ratio DiscipliriEe, 177—179. 



12 

gent inquiry into the sense and meaning of the Platform 
of Church Discipline, and the general practice of our Fa- 
thers and of the Churches in this land from their days, 
with respect to church order. The Report of this com- 
mittee was directed to be printed and published. 

Before the institution of Bible Societies, which have so 
wonderfully contributed to the diffusion of the holy Scrip- 
tures in our time, the Convention paid particular attention 
to this most important subject. On receiving an Address 
from the North Association in Hampshire county, in 1 782, 
representing the great want of Bibles in that part of the 
country, and praying the Convention to use their influ- 
ence by petitioning the General Court to grant assistance 
and encouragement for printing the Bible in this country ; 
and several similar representations from other parts of the 
country ; the Convention chose a committee, to take the 
subject under serious consideration, and use such means 
as should to them appear most promising, " to put it in 
the power of those who are destitute of Bibles, to pur- 
chase them in the most cheap and expeditious manner." 

An Address, in 1789, from the Association of ministers 
in and about Cambridge, relative to licensing, encourag- 
ing, or employing candidates for the ministry, induced 
the printing and publishing of " A Recommendation from 
the Convention of the Congregational Ministers at Bos- 
ton, May 26, 1790." After a preamble, stating the 
grounds of the recommendation, the Convention, 

1 . Recommend it to all young gentlemen, who design to 
devote themselves to the work of the ministry, to spend that 
portion of time in the study of divinity, previously to ap- 
pearing in the pulpit, which improved and judicious advi- 
sers shall think necessary to qualify them for public teachers. 

2. They earnestly recommend it to Congregational 
Ministers and People, not to encourage or employ any 



13 

one as a candidate for the ministry, exeept he show by 
written testimonials, that he has been carefully examined 
respecting his acquaintance with the principles of natural 
and revealed religion, and other things necessary to qua- 
lify him for the work of the ministry ; and that he is pro- 
perly recommended to it, as a man of knowledge and 
good character, by some regular Congregational Associa- 
tion or Presbytery. 

3. To ministers not associated, they suggest the import- 
ance of their commencing members of regular Associa- 
tions, as soon as opportunity present; for, say they, " we 
are all members of the same body, and are called by the 
Gospel of Christ to cooperate with each other, in promot- 
ing the interest of a learned, judicious and religious min- 
istry." 

In 1799, the Convention unanimously voted an Address 
to their brethren of the respective Associations, and the 
unassociated ministers in this Commonwealth, " recom- 
mending to them seriously to consider the alarming pre- 
valence of infidelity and immorality ; and exhorting them 
to vigilance and activity in their several stations, in resist- 
ing the progress of those principles, and reviving and 
promoting the spirit of true Christianity, by those means 
which they may think most expedient." 

In 1802, the Convention published an Address, express- 
ing their sentiments " on the propriety and importance 
of using the Scriptures in Schools ; calling the attention 
of their brethren, of the people at large, and especially 
of those who are by law appointed the visitors of our 
schools, to this interesting subject." 

In 1804, a motion was made in Convention, to address 
the Associations of Congregational Ministers on the subject 
of forming a Convention " for the purpose of agreeing 
upon a plan of friendly ministerial union, and for estab- 



14 

lishing a General Association. " The Convention chose 
a committee to consider and report upon the Proposition ; 
instructing them to transmit it to the several Associations 
of Congregational Ministers in the Commonwealth, re- 
questing them to take the subject into their serious con- 
sideration, and to offer their sentiments upon it to Con- 
vention through their committee previously to the meeting 
of the Convention in May, 1805." At that meeting, the 
committee reported the returns they had received ; and, 
on the whole, concluded their Report in favour of the 
Proposition. After a discussion of the Report, and 
mature deliberation, the question of acceptance was deter- 
mined in the negative. 

On certain questions relating to church order, proposed 
to the Convention by an Association in 1813, the Con- 
vention, learning " that a particular case exists, which 
gave rise to the questions, and to which the opinion of 
Convention, if pronounced, would in all probability be 
applied," declined giving a distinct answer ; but earnestly 
recommended, " that, in any case of difficulty existing be- 
tween churches, means should be employed in the proper 
ecclesiastical way, and with the spirit of Christian meek- 
ness and charity, to bring it to an amicable adjustment, or 
a regular decision." 

Where the Convention was accustomed to assemble, 
in early times, does not appear. After the American revo- 
lution, the meetings were held in the old Courthouse, 
until the erection of the new one ; since which time the 
Convention has been indulged with the use of that con- 
venient edifice for its annual meetings. About a century 
since, as we learn from Dr. Mather, a dinner was gener- 
ously provided for the Convention by the deacons of the 
united churches in Boston ; and the governor and princi- 
pal gentlemen in the government were invited with the 



15 

ministers on that occasion. How long this usage contin- 
ued is not known. In 1769, the Convention voted thanks 
to Dr. Sewall, then in the decline of life, " for his kind- 
ness and hospitality in accommodating the Convention for 
so many years at his house." For several years, the 
ministers of Boston were accustomed to invite the mem- 
bers of Convention to dine at their tables. In 1806, a 
dinner was provided by a subscription of sundry gentle- 
men in Boston ; and the surplus of the money, thus gen- 
erously subscribed, was to be given to the Congregational 
Charitable Society. The thanks of the Convention were 
voted to those gentlemen for their attention and liberality 
— which have since been often experienced. More 
recently, the congregational societies in Boston have pro- 
vided a liberal entertainment for the Convention, under 
direction of the deacons of their churches ; of which a 
grateful sense has been testified by their votes. 

Objects of Convention. 

From the transactions of the Convention it appears, that 
its design has been, to promote brotherly love and religious 
improvement ; to give advice to ministers in difficult cases ; 
to consider the best means for preserving and promoting 
piety ; to concert measures for the propagation of religion, 
and to promote collections for that purpose ; to act in 
concert, as far as suitable to the ministerial character, in 
all matters of general concern, respecting the interests of 
religion, and the order, peace, liberties, and prosperity of 
the Congregational Churches; to hold correspondences 
with other associated pastors and churches, relative to the 
interests of the church and of religion ; to aid poor par- 
ishes in supporting their ministers ; to assist indigent min- 
isters, their widows and orphan children ; to provide 



16 

funds for the relief of widows and orphans of ministers, 
and direct the distribution of this charity ; to bear testi- 
mony against prevailing errors in doctrine, discipline, or 
manners ; to remonstrate to delinquent churches and peo- 
ple concerning neglect to support the gospel; and to 
recommend whatever may be of general use to ministers 
and churches, or to the commonwealth and country. It 
also appears, that the proceedings, relative to objects and 
persons external to the Convention, have always been by 
way of counsel, recommendation, advice, or congratula- 
tion ; and not on the ground of assumed or delegated 
authority. 

Origin and state of the Fund. 

The Convention appears to have kept no records until 
1748. It was then voted, at the annual meeting, to have 
a blank Book, in which should be entered the minutes of 
the Convention, with the votes and accounts. Minutes, 
it is evident, had been previously kept ; for, at the same 
meeting, " the minutes of the transactions of the last Con- 
vention were read." The collections, too, it appears, had 
already been such as to require a treasurer ; for the ac- 
counts of the last year were presented and accepted ; the 
thanks of Convention were given to Dr. Sewall, the 
treasurer, for his care and fidelity ; and he was requested 
to continue in the office the ensuing year. By an appli- 
cation from a society in Rhode Island, requesting " assist- 
ance towards the maintenance of a minister," and by 
other evidences, it appears, that the Convention had alrea- 
dy " dispersed abroad" its alms. A measure was now 
adopted for the establishment of a Fund. It was voted, 
"that the Convention recommend it to the ministers 
through the Province, that they endeavour that there may 



17 

be a Collection in their several Congregations towards & 
Fund for the propagation of the Christian religion." 

The monies, collected by the Convention, appear to 
have been distributed among indigent ministers until the 
year 1762. A question was then proposed, " Whether the 
Convention will choose a committee to consider what may 
be done to render their annual contribution more exten- 
sively useful and beneficial ; and in order hereto, whether 
a part of it should be applied to the use of ministers' wid- 
ows and children, who might need the same, as well as to 
indigent ministers." It was voted in the affirmative ; and 
a committee was accordingly chosen. 

Of the Collection that year, four pounds ten shillings 
were appropriated to the proposed Fund for ministers' 
widows and children. This was the commencement of 
the Convention's Fund.* 

At the annual meeting, 30 May, 1765, the Convention 
voted, that the unappropriated part of the Collection this 
day be added to the sum already in the treasury, to lie as 
a Fund towards the support of ministers' widows and 
children that are indigent, agreeable to some plan that 
may hereafter be agreed upon by the Convention ; and a 
committee was chosen to prepare and offer a plan accord- 

* The Collection was 2701. 6s. 3d, (old tenor.) I. s. d. 

Of which, appropriated to 6 ministers ... 80 4 

" " to 1 widow 3 17 6 

to poor ministers' widows 2 5 

" " to proposed Fund . . 4 10 

90 16 6 

Of the unappropriated money were voted, 

To Providence, to support preaching ..... 50 

Rev. O. Campbell, (Tiverton) 79 9 9 

Rev. Mr. Torry, (S. Kingston) 50 

179 9 9 

3 



13 

ingly. In 1766, the committee not reporting a plan, 
another committee was chosen to prosecute the design ; 
and a vote was passed, " That the money already in hand, 
and what may this year be devoted for a Fund for the 
relief of poor ministers' widows and children, be put into 
the hands of the Rev. Dr. Sewall, Dr. Chauncy, and Mr. 
Cooper, to be by them improved at interest for the use 
aforesaid." A committee was thus appointed annually, 
to act as trustees, until the incorporation of a Society for 
the care and management of the Fund. 

In this " day of small things," a valuable legacy was 
bequeathed to the benevolent object, which had long been 
occupying the thoughts and care of the Convention. Mr. 
Judah Monis, a Jew by birth, who had embraced the 
Christian religion and been baptized at Cambridge, where 
he lived many years as a Hebrew instructer, died in 1764, 
leaving most of his estate to this pious charity. How it 
was to be managed and applied, appears by the Will : " I 
also will that all my real estate be sold by my Executors 

and that the proceeds of such sale be deposited in the 

hands of the Rev. Messrs. Nathaniel Appleton, minister of 
the first Parish in Cambridge, Ebenezer Gay of Hingham, 
minister of the first Parish there, John Martin minister of 
the second Parish in Westborough [now Northborough], 
Andrew Eliot of Boston, minister of a Church of Christ 
there, and Thomas Barnard of Salem, minister of a 
Church of Christ there, or their respective successors in 
said office, for the relief of the poor widows of the minis- 
ters of Christ in the Province in this form, namely, the 

principal sum to be let out on lawful interest by the said 
ministers, and their said successors in the office aforesaid 
forever, and the interest thereof distributed by them or the 
major part of them, as they, with the advice of the Con- 
vention of the Ministers of the Congregational persuasion. 



19 

at their Anniversary Meeting, shall judge proper forever." 
Mr. Monis also gave, for the same purpose, such part of 
his personal estate, as should not, after his decease, be 
found disposed of to other persons or uses. On the set- 
tlement of the estate, the sum ordered by the Judge of 
Probate to be paid to the Trustees, 23 May, 1766, was 
one hundred and eleven pounds, sixteen shillings, and 
eight pence.* The Convention, thus encouraged to pur- 
sue their object, voted, that year, " That the sum of one 
hundred pounds of the unappropriated money, collected 
this day, be added to the sum already collected towards a 
Fund for the relief of Indigent Widows and poor orphan 
Children of Ministers, to be improved at interest, agree- 
able to a vote of the Convention passed this day."t 

In 1767, the committee, chosen to prepare and offer a 
plan for a Fund, reported, that the Convention empower 
a number from themselves to apply in their name to the 
General Court for an act of incorporation, " in order to 
the more effectual management of the Fund to be raised 
for the relief of their Widows and orphan Children;" 
pointed out means to raise this Fund, and to direct as to 
its application ; and recommended, " as it will be some 

* The Monis Fund is now $400 ; the interest of which the 
Trustees annually divide among four widows, with the concurrence 
of Convention, to which they make an annual Report. 

t On the Record of this year is entered the following " Account 
of the several sums already devoted to the proposed Fund for the 
relief of the Widows and orphan Children of poor Ministers." 

L s. d. 
Appropriated in the Collection, May 27, 1762 6 15 (old tenor) 

May 26, 1763 48 8 5 

May 29, 1765 4 15 

Voted the whole unapprop. coll. May 29, 1765 211 1 4 

Appropriated in the Collection May 29, 1766 4 19 

Voted of the unapprop. coll. May 29, 1766 100 

375 18 9 



20 

time before a corporation can be constituted and the con- 
stitution receive the royal assent, that, in the mean time, 
the money collected at the annual Convention, except 
what may be appropriated, be put into the hands of a 
number of the Convention to be by them, as Trustees, put 
out at interest, and that the interest be disposed of annu- 
ally, by the Convention, on the forenoon preceding the 
public Exercises and Collection, to such Widows and 
orphan Children of Ministers of the Massachusetts Pro- 
vince, as they shall think fit." The Convention accepted 
the Report, and voted, " that it be forthwith carried into 
execution." A vote was also passed, That the proposed 
Incorporate Society do consist of an equal number of min- 
isters and of lay-gentlemen ; and that the whole number 
should be thirty. Fifteen laymen, of distinguished character 
in the state, and the same number of ministers, were then 
" nominated and voted to be first members of the proposed 
Incorporate Society." At the head of the former appears 
the name of " His Honour Thomas Hutchinson, Lieut. 
Governour." The commotions, soon after excited in the 
Province by the Stamp Act ; the dissatisfaction with the 
gubernatorial administration ; and the revolutionary war, 
which convulsed the country, ' and put "all the founda- 
tions out of course," sufficiently account for a delay of the 
execution of the plan of Convention for several years. 
After the successful termination of a long war, and the 
tranquil settlement of the commonwealth as an Indepen- 
dent State, the plan was auspiciously resumed. 

In the mean time, the Fund of the Convention received 
a considerable addition from the estate of the Hon. John 
Alford, Esq. of Charlestown, lately deceased, who had 
given a discretionary power to his Executors for appro- 
priations to certain charitable and literary objects. At 
a meeting of the Convention in 1775, a letter was com- 



21 

municated from Richard Cary, Esq. informing the Con- 
vention, that the Executors had agreed to give fifty pounds 
sterling to the Fund for the relief of the Widows and 
orphan Children of poor Ministers out of the estate of 
Col. Alford. It was stated, at the same time, that this 
sum had been received by the Treasurer of the Conven- 
tion. The particular acknowledgments and thanks of the 
Convention were presented to the Executors of the Will 
of Col. Alford, " for this kind and liberal donation, where- 
in they have not only evidenced a generous pity to a dis- 
tressed and very helpless part of the community, but have 
discovered a friendly regard to the Ministry of this Pro- 
vince." The Convention embraced this opportunity " to 
testify their grateful sense of the noble benevolence of the 
Honourable and worthy Testator; and to express their 
pleasing expectation, that his munificent bequest, so wise- 
ly distributed, by his Executors, to this and other exten- 
sively useful institutions, will serve to transmit the memory 
of Col. Alford with honour to the latest posterity." 

In 1733, the Convention voted, That the Trustees now 
living be desired to continue ; and chose a committee " to 
prepare a plan for a Fund to be established in this Com- 
monwealth for the relief of the Widows and orphan Chil- 
dren of poor Ministers, and for other purposes which may 
be mentioned in said plan ;" and to lay the plan before 
the General Court of this Commonwealth, and to use their 
influence to obtain a Charter. In 1784, the committee 
reported a plan, and the form of a Bill for an Act of In- 
corporation ; and after seme emendation, a committee was 
chosen, to fill up the blanks, and perfect the Bill for a 
Society to be incorporated, and, when completed, to use 
their best endeavours to obtain a Charter of the General 
Court. In 1785, the Convention voted to renew their 
application to the General Court for the same purpose. 



22 

Connexion between the Convention and the Congregational 
Charitable Society. 

An Act of Incorporation was at length obtained. At 
the annual meeting of the Convention in 1 786, a commit- 
tee on the subject made report ; and the act was read. 
It was passed 24 March, 1786, and was signed, as ap- 
proved, by governor Bowdoin. The preamble states its 
origin and object : " Whereas a number of congregational 
ministers within this Commonwealth have petitioned, and 
it appears to the General Court expedient, that a number 
of persons be incorporated into a Society for the humane 
and benevolent purposes of affording relief and support to 
the widows and children of deceased ministers and other 
persons therein mentioned : Be it therefore enacted by the 
Senate and House of Representatives in General Court" 
&c. The names of twenty persons are inserted in the Act ; 
ten of whom were laymen, and ten ministers. The Act 
incorporates them into a Society by the name of the 

MASSACHUSETTS CONGREGATIONAL CHARITABLE SOCIETY; 

and ordains, " that they and such others as shall be duly 
elected into the said corporation, shall be and remain a 
body politic and corporate, by the same name, style and 
title forever." One article of the Act requires, that all 
grants, donations, devises and bequests, made to the So- 
ciety, shall be used and improved to the best advantage ; 
and that the annual income shall be applied to the support 
of such widows and children of deceased congregational 
ministers, as have been or shall be settled within this 
Commonwealth, and of widows and children of the presi- 
dent and professors of the University in Cambridge, as, in 
the opinion of said corporation, shall be proper objects of 
the said charity." The Act requires the Society to meet 
some time in the month of May annually; and gives 






23 

power to elect by ballot any other person or persons as 
members of it : " Provided always, that the said Society- 
shall not at any time consist of more than thirty members ; 
provided, also, that the same proportion be observed in 
the said elections, between the clergy and the laity, 
which is observed in this act." A meeting was called and 
holden in the Senate chamber in Boston, 24 May, 1 786, 
and the Society was organized by the choice and qualifi- 
cation of the several officers named in the Act of Incor- 
poration. 

After the reading of the Act in Convention, a com- 
mittee was chosen to confer with a committee of the 
Society, on such measures as should appear to be most 
conducive to the purposes of the institution ; and the next 
morning, the committee made the following Report : 

" It appears to your Committee, that the Society, lately 
incorporated by the name of the Massachusetts con- 
gregational charitable society, is so constituted as to 
answer the general purposes for which Convention has 
so long wished to have a Society incorporated ; and your 
Committee think it advisable, that Convention order the 
Treasurer to deliver such monies as he may now have, 
belonging to Convention, into the hands of the Treasurer 
of said Society, by some vote of the following kind : 

" Whereas there is now in the Treasury of Convention 
the sum of five hundred and seventy one pounds one shil- 
ling and se>^ n pence, in public and private securities, 
which sum has b^n given by divers persons, the interest 
of which is to be used f or the benefit of the poor widows 
and orphans of deceased Ministers, which monies the 
Convention wish to have in the hands of a legal Trust ; 
Therefore, 

"Voted, Th^the Treasurer of the Convention be 
directed to put tfe above mentioned securities and what 



24 

other property he may have belonging to the Convention, 
into the hands of the Treasurer of the Massachusetts Con- 
gregational Charitable Society, to be improved by said 
Society in such ways as, in their wisdom, they shall 
judge most conducive to the benevolent purposes of the 
Donors ; the interest of which securities, and such other 
property, as the Convention may put into the hands of 
said Society, to be distributed from time to time, agree- 
ably to the advice of the Convention." The Report was 
accepted. 

The Convention, accordingly, transferred to the Socie- 
ty, in trust, 571/. Is. Id. From that time to the present, 
the funds of Convention have been held and improved in 
the same manner as the Society's stock ; and an an- 
nual account is rendered to the Convention of their exact 
state.* 

In reference to the Incorporation of the Society, it has 
been observed : " This indulgence of our government to 
the clergy, and the respect so universally paid to religious 
institutions by the rulers of our state, will continue the 
encouragement to men of literary talents to settle as minis- 
ters ; and will give ease to the pained hearts of many, 
who, after spending the prime of their life in labours to 
promote the happiness of others, are leaving widows and 
orphans on the arms of public charity. The act by which 
this Society is established, independent of pecuniary con- 
siderations, has an unfailing influence to render the office 
of a minister respectable. It is the Commonwealth's 
smile of approbation upon the office, and will render to 

* In 1820, the Fund of Convention, before its appro- 
priations, was ----- §5824 83 
Appropriated ------ 300 00 

Amount of the Fund $5524 83 



25 

the clergy a substantial support in the important duties of 
it. Perhaps there never was an institution, which was 
pointed more directly to proper objects of charity, or in 
the execution of which, the principles of true benevolence 
could be exerted in a manner more productive of the gen- 
eral good of the country."* 

The Convention has, of late years, added to the Annual 
Collection, after the Convention Sermon, for immediate 
distribution, $300 ; and the Contribution at the Annual 
Collection has been from 300 to 600 dollars. The 
Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society have, 
of late, annually voted $200, to be added to the Collec- 
tion ; and this is distributed by vote of the Convention 
among a number of widows of deceased ministers. The 
Society have given, besides, a considerable sum, annual- 
ly, to those objects of their bounty, whose circumstances 
were peculiarly necessitous.! " But they have felt it a 
duty, in the management of their funds, to endeavour 
to add something to the capital, by reserving annually 
a portion of the interest ; so that in time, it may be 
hoped, the proceeds may be more adequate than hereto- 
fore to the applications continually urged for help and 
relief. They acknowledge, with pleasure, the liberality 
of many ; and doubt not the continued benefactions of 

* " History of the Society," in an Appendix to Dr. Thacher's 
Sermon in 1795, " By a member who is not a minister." It is as- 
cribed to the late governor Sullivan. 

t In 1820, the Congregational Charitable Society voted, 

To be added to the Collection - - -- $200 

" given to indigent widows - - - 1000 

The Society has paid from its own Funds, 

(Total amount) To widows and orphans - 3875 

To Convention - - - - 2150 

" From Fund of Convention (per order) 3269.31. 



26 

the friends of religion, to a charity so important and 
interesting."* 

The Convention embraced all the congregational minis- 
ters in the Commonwealth, including the District of Maine, 
until the formation of Maine into a separate State, in 1820. 
A committee, chosen the last year by Convention, "to 
take into consideration the subject of the appropriations of 
the charity of Convention to widows in Maine," have been 
officially informed, that a similar Convention has been or- 
ganized in Maine, since the separation. " A majority of 
the Associations were in favour of such a measure. Of 
this public notice was given, and a meeting of congrega- 
tional ministers requested. On the 18th of January a 
respectable number of them assembled and formed them- 
selves into a Convention on the same broad basis, on 
which the Convention in Massachusetts is established." 
A correspondence and conference have been held with the 
officers of that Convention, and a satisfactory arrangement, 
in relation to the Fund, is expected to be made at the 

* ** Account of the Mass. Cong. Charitable Society," 1815. 
Beside numerous other less, but valuable donations, the Society 
have recorded the following : 

John Winslow, Esq. of Dunstable, " towards a per- 
petual fund" - £200 == g666.66 
Hon. Thomas Russell - - - - 200 = 666.66 

Jonathan Mason, Esq. 200 

Joseph Barrell, Esq. ----- 400 

Miss Anna Cabot Lowell, beside go 000, in trust, for 

this and other purposes - 1000 

Hon. Samuel Dexter, (Sen.) 200 

John Derby, Esq. a legacy - 1000 

Subscriptions procured by Samuel Eliot, Esq. 

upwards of - 4000 

Mrs. Lowell, widow of the late Judge Lowell - - 2400 

Hon. Peter C. Brooks 200 

Samuel Eliot, Esq. a legacy - - - - - 3000 
Joseph Coolidge, Esq. a legacy ------ 500 



27 

next annual meeting of the Massachusetts Convention. 
The remembrance of our brethren will not be obliterated, 
nor our sympathies with their widows and orphan chil- 
dren extinguished, by a political division of the Common- 
wealth. What should be the measure of our charity, upon 
this change of relations, is for the Convention to deter- 
mine. 



Rules and Regulations of Convention. 

I. The Convention is opened on the day of the Gen- 
eral Election, at 5 o'clock, P. M. ; and on the following 
day, at 11 o'clock, A. M. a Sermon is delivered in public 
before the Convention, and a Collection made for the 
indigent Widows of congregational ministers. 

II. Every ordained Congregational Minister, having 
the care of a particular church within this Common- 
wealth shall be considered as a member of this Conven- 
tion ; the Presidents and Professors in the Theological 
departments in any public seminary in this Common- 
wealth may be admitted by special vote, and no others 
shall be eligible : yet, congregational ministers, dismissed 
from their pastoral relation with good recommendations, 
and continuing to preach, as candidates for settlement, 
may be honorary members, and have the privilege of sit- 
ting and deliberating in the Convention, but not of voting. 

III. The person who preaches the annual Convention 
Sermon shall be considered as Moderator of Convention 
for that year. 

IV. When any person has any subject or question to 
propose to Convention for their consideration, he shall 
give it in, before the Convention proceeds to business, to 
the Scribe of Convention, to be by him put on the list of 
articles to be acted on by Convention, which list shall be 



28 

read before business commences ; or, if he be prevented from 
doing this by necessity, he shall deliver it, stated on paper, 
to the Scribe, who shall read it to the Convention, that it 
may be at their disposal ; and no person shall be allowed 
to speak more than twice on the same subject, except by 
leave of Convention. 

V. A Standing Committee of thirty shall be appointed, 
five of whom shall be chosen centrally, and the remainder 
in different parts of the State. The five shall act as a 
Reporting Committee, to receive from the other members 
of the Committee applications and statements of facts in 
behalf of persons who may be subjects of the charity of 
the Convention, and having considered the same, shall 
judge of the persons to be relieved, and the proportion to 
be given to each, and make report to Convention on the 
first day of their meeting, annually. 

VI. The indigent widows of congregational ministers, 
and their orphan children under age, are the proper ob- 
jects of the charities of Convention. 



When the widow of any congregational minister is 
considered an object of the charity of the Convention, it 
is desired, that, by the first of May in each year, answers 
may be given, by one of the Standing Committee to the 
Reporting Committee, to the following questions : 

1. What is her age ? 

2. What are the number, the sex, the ages, and the 
circumstances of her children ? 

3. What is a fair estimate of her property ? 

4. What is her ability to help herself ? 

5. What connexions has she, who are bound to afford 
her assistance ? And in what way do they assist her ? 



29 

6. What is her income ? 

7. What peculiar circumstances render her an object of 
charity ; or make it desirable, that she should have aid 
this year ? 

The Standing Committee are also desired to give notice 
to the Scribe, whenever an alteration takes place in the 
circumstances of the widows, who are objects of charity. 



TREASURERS OF THE CONVENTION. 

Rev. Joseph Sewall, 

Ebenezer Pemberton 3 
Andrew Eliot, 
William Gordon, 
Simeon Howard, 
Oliver Everett, 
Joseph Eckley, 
John Eliot, 
William E. Channing, 
Charles Lowell, 
Francis Parkman. 



PREACHERS OF THE CONVENTION SERMON. 



By -whom, 
A. D. Rev. 
1682 John Sherman, 

1722 * ^Cotton Mather, 

1723 fNehemiah Walter, 

1724 tPeter Thacher, 
1726 fWilliam Williams, 
1728 John Williams, 

1738 John Barnard, 

1739 Nathaniel Eelles, 

1740 Thomas Prince, 

1741 fEdward Holyoke, 

1742 Israel Loring, 

1743 -[Nathaniel Appleton, 

1744 fCharles Chauncy, D. D. 

1745 fPeter Clark, 

1746 fEbenezer Gay, 

1748 Edward Wigglesworth, D.D. 

1749 John Barnard, 

1750 William Welsteed, 

1751 Samuel Wiggles worth, 

1753 fSamuel Phillips, 

1754 Stephen Williams, 

1755 Joseoh Parsons, 

1756 Hull' Abbot, 

1757 tWiUiam Rand, 

1758 {Jonathan Townsend, 

1759 Ebenezer Pemberton, 

1760 William Balch, 

1761 -fEbenezer Parkman, 

1762 Samuel Mather, 

1763 John Lowell, 

1765 Charles Chauncy, D.D. 

1766 Thomas Prentice, 

1767 Andrew Eliot, D.D. 

1768 fJohn Tucker, 

1769 Samuel Dunbar, 

1770 Samuel Cooper, D.D. 

1771 Robert Breck, 



Of -tvhat place. 


Text. 


Watertown. 




Boston. 


Rev. ii. 19. 


Roxbury. 


1 Tim. i. 12. 


Milton. 


Phil. i. 21. (MS.) 


Hatfield. 


Col. iv. 11. 


Deeffield. 




Marblehead. 


Col. i. 18. 


Scituate 


1 Sam. iv. 13. 


Boston. 


Isai. ix. 7. 


Pres. of H. Coll. 


Matth. xvi. 6. 


Sudbury. 




Cambridge. 


Matth. v. 13, 14. 


Boston. 


Titus ii. 15. 


Salem Village. 


Romans iii. 1, 2. 


Hingham. 


John i. 32. 


S. T. P. Harv. Coll. 


Andover. 


2 Corinth, iv. 1^ 


Boston. 


1 Tim. iv. 6. 


Ipswich. 


2 Corinth, xi. 2. 


Andover. 


Acts x. 36. 


Springfield. 


Exodus xxv. 8. 


Bradford. 


Matth. v. 14, 15, 16. 


Charlestown. 




Kingstown. 


1 Thess. ii. 4. 


Needham. 


1 John, 8. 


Boston. 


Rom. xi. 13. 


Bradford. 


2 Corinth, i. 12. 


Westborough. 


2 Corinth, v. 14. 


Boston. 


2 Corinth, xi. 28. 


Newburyport. 


2 Corinth, vii. 2. 


Boston. 


Acts viii. 5. 


Charlestown. 


1 Corinth. xiv. 1. 


Boston. 


James v. 19, 20. 


Newbury. 


Col. iv. 11. 


Stoughton. 


Gal. i. 8, 9. 


Boston. 


Rev. xii. 1. 


Springfield. 


Heb. xiii. 1. 



* Dr. Cotton Mather's Sermon, in 1689, has been erroneously supposed to 
nave been delivered before the Convention of Ministers. It was " preached to 
the Convention of the Colony." 

f The Sermons with this mark f are in the Library of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society. A complete series of them would be highly valued by a 
Society, whose objects are, " the collection and preservation, for the use of 
the public and posterity, of all documents relating to the history and anti- 
quities, ecclesiastical, civil, and natural, of our country." 



31 



1772 fSamuel Locke, D. D. 

1773 fEdward Barnard, 

1774 James Chandler, 

1775 Benjamin Stevens, 

1776 Samuel Cooke, 

1777 Samuel Langdon, D.D. 

1778 Isaac Morrill, 

1779 Samuel Webster, 

1780 Ebenezer Bridge, 
17S1 John Mellen, 

1782 Thaddeus Maccarty, 

1783 Daniel Shute, 

1784 Joseph Willard, 

1785 Phdlips Payson, 

1786 Moses Hemmenway, 

1787 Gad Hitchcock, 

1788 Nathan Fiske, 

1789 Jacob dishing, 

1790 Simeon Howard, D.D. 

1791 Jason Haven, 

1792 Josiah Bridge, 

1793 Thomas Barnard, 

1794 Chandler Robbins, D.D. 

1795 Henry Cumings, D D. 

1796 fJeremy Belknap, D.D. 

1797 JDavid Tappan, D.D. 

1798 {David Osgood, D.D. 

1799 jEli Forbes, 

1800 John Lathrop, D.D. 

1801 fJoseph Dana, D.D. 

1802 Peter Thacher, D.D. 

1803 Thomas Prentiss, 

1804 Nathanael Emmons, 

1805 Zedekiah Sanger, 

1806 fJoseph Lyman, D.D. 

1807 fJohn Reed, D.D. 

1808 Daniel Chaplin, 

1809 Samuel Spring, D.D. 

1810 fEliphalet Porter, D.D. 

1811 -j-Reuben Puffer, D.D. 

1812 Jedidiah Morse, D.D. 

1813 John T. Kirkland, D.D. 

1814 Jesse Appleton, D.D. 

1815 Charles Stearns, D.D. 

1816 William E. Channing, 

1817 Alvan Hvde, D D. 

1818 Henry Ware, D.D. 

1819 fAbiel Holmes, D.D. 

1820 Aaron Bancroft, D.D. 



Pres. of H. Coll. 2 Corinth, iv. 2. 

Haverhill. John iv. 36, 37, 38. 

Rowley. 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. 

Kittery. Matth. xxiv. 45, 46. 

Cambridge. 1 Thess. ii. 4. 

Pres. of H. Coll. Gal. i. 11, 12. 

Wilmington. Dan. xii. 3. 

Salisbury. Matth. vii. 23, 29. 

Chelmsford. 

Hanover. 

Worcester. 

Hingham. 

Pres. of H. Coll. 

Chelsea. 

Wells. 

Pembroke. 

Brookfield. 

Waltham. Acts ii. 42. 

Boston. 

Dedham. 

Sudbury. 1 Thess. ii. 4. 

Salem. Eccl. iii. 1. 

Plymouth. Acts xx. 26. 

Billerica. Rom. xi. 13. 

Boston. 2 Tim. i. 8 

S. T. P. Har. Coll. Exod. xxviii. 36. 38. 

Medford. Matth. xiii. 33. 

Gloucester. 2 Corinth, vi. 3, 4. 

Boston. 

Ipswich. Rom. i. 16. 

Boston. Rom. i. 9. 

Medfield. Luke xiv. 23. 

Franklin. 1 Corinth, i. 10. 

Bridgewater. Isaiah i. 18 

Hatfield. 1 Corinth, xi. 1. 

Bridgewater. Matt, xxiii. 8, 9, 10. 

Groton. Mai. ii. 7. 

Newburyport. 1 Thess. iv. 17, 18. 

Roxbury. 2 Corinth, xi. 3. 

Berlin. Coloss. iv. 11. 

Charlestown. 1 Tim. i. 5. 

Pres. of H. Coll. Tit, ii. 11, 14. 

Pres. of B. Coll. 2 Tim. i. 10. 

Lincoln. John xiii 13. 

Boston. Isai. ii. 4. 

Lee. 2 Pet. ii 1. 

S. T. P. Har, Coll. John xx. 31. 

Cambridge. Titus i. 7. 

Worcester. Philipp. i. 17. 



From an inspection of the subjects it is evident, that the Dis- 
course has always been considered, not as a mere Charity Ser- 
mon, but a Concio ad Clerum. 



32 
SCRIBES OF THE CONVENTION 



1748, Rev. Mather Byles, Boston, 1755 

1755, Rev. Jonathan Mayhew, Boston, 1757 

1757, Rev. Samuel Cooper, Boston, 1758 

1758, Rev. Andrew Eliot, Boston, 1761 

1761, Rev. Samuel Mather, Boston, 1762 

1762, Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, Chelmsford, 1763 

1763, Rev. Ebenezer Parkman, Westborough, 1766 
1766, Rev. Amos Adams, Roxbury, 1776 
1776, Rev. Jacob Cushing, Waltham, 1779 
1779, Rev. John Lathrop, Boston, 1787 
1787, Rev. John Clarke, Boston, 1792 
1792, Rev. John Bradford, Roxbury, 1794 
1794, Rev. Jedidiah Morse, Charlestown, 1800 
1800, Rev. John T. Kirkland, Boston, 1810 
1810, Rev. John Pierce, Brookline, 1820 
1820, Rev. John Codman, Dorchester. 



Form of a Bequest or Legacy. 

Item, I give and bequeath, the sum of 
to the Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society, in trust, 
to be applied, at their discretion, to the relief and support of the 
widows and children of deceased ministers, and other persons 
mentioned in the Act of Incorporation. 



iy.jjc ( M3S^3S1 ■ i 


c 


CiC f C3ES3Cl 


^ 


O'.c ( <833KT: 


^ 


E y> '-ciccsd^ 


« 


'-." cf t i 8S<F<iCL ( ( 


i 


J^T - r C8EjC3iKT^-' 


r< 


«& .<k 


pkt .. 


^c 


1 «£ 




c83E 


jjgiH: r • , 


<IP 


Kc^C 


4 


T - '^SCilQ 


8S r C 


< 


: "^^^a 


iorr<n 


*&<<?mm 


^c^- <r < 


<QL«sm 


iCcic 


mm 


1CjCT< 


7" 


^m 


5r°yri 


r 


y:ccrn 


ICTccc^ 


x c '?; : 


CCtC"" 


( 'i2W 


ter- 


:X«K 


ror 


£<M 


3sc 


zmm 


IIOC 


€Z<msc 


j« 


mm: 


j^<: 


i' ( - cat 


jC><r 


:x« 


jC<CC 


(IIMC, 


<^cc 


r ^iS^CCaBC 


<JCC 


^XTt^ISSCI 


jccc 


dfcgssc 


^^£MCjC;C« 


i^4S«DcW< 


cca 



«CT< 






CC«3CC 



■<3C'OGCC *£ 

c^r crccrd 

C3C CKXCCtST < 

cm ccecct <: 
eye -■oe&c 

C3ccc3C2:ccl- ■ 



1 









€C 






fed ttSt dC<^C 



C ; <lct alooc: 



m 



cccc 



fed ec<C<T<r- - 






C CC 



7 C C 

: c <r 
cc 

L'.C c 

m 

ICC 
IX c 

mc 
.cc 

^£ 

*lXC 
JSC 

cc - 



lap 

c<carc-c- 

^:c« c 

«:<£«XLc 
^^: <<:<*! c 

SIXCC3C C 

^CCC^C 
^K CCOt< 

«2r cc«^< 
C CCc 

C CC«1 



*£* 



^^ ^CC3C7C 

r<tC <3C ( < 
I CCcc 

< <*^*r <rcr< 
rarcc 

CC «Z r c: CEL<fC 

^C «xc<fec 
c c »vc cc c 



SS 



c cc 

c cc 
c cc 
cc 
cc: 
cc 
cc 
cc 

CC 

cc 
cc 
cc 

CC 
C1C 

<cc 

cc 

cc 
&c 

c c 

c c 

lea 

XC 






ccc 
ccc 

<cc c , 
Cc f * 
CCC € 



<4££? OCT CCC 

«^C<C<C:C 
J Cd" COC 

~T ccc 
~ cac 
: cc 



.^.'"■■-.r exec:.* 
: ^c <x<fcso 
c:c: cM3 
^' , .<rc<3C' 
:Ch c«Xi^ 
r \ ■ caSocg 
c ? ccac <r< 

occr: <r< 

■'.c< r dtsr^cc« 

c*c<c3c> 

Ccis3X3-Cl^: 

c: <gcjggjc5 

d cc<rc cc? 
c c<rc cere 

_.■ cc-crcc^c 
^ cccrccc^ 



